n the
fall, when that gentleman of Concord was chosen warden, she wrote to
him, but, as he was sick and knew nothing of the matter, he did not
respond. And no doubt she also wrote to the warden himself; but probably
has not heard to this day.

Formerly, I should have written her something like this: "Your brother
is alive, in usual health, and progressing well. Don't be over-anxious
till he may write you." In this way I could have satisfied her,
measurably, at least with no reflection, in any way, on prison
management.

This neglect of the deputy seemed the more cruel from the fact that the
man was a most faithful, obedient prisoner, and that this sister had
previously furnished him with ample writing materials, that he might
write frequently with no expense to the State, which materials the
warden had confiscated on coming into office.

In connection with this matter, the important question comes up, In
whose hands, really, should the prison correspondence be placed?--in
those of the warden or chaplain? The correspondence, to be well managed,
requires no little labor, especially if the inmates are permitted to
write as they should and receive answers in return. If, in the warden's
hands, it would tend to crowd other business too much, or itself be too
much neglected, the latter having been the fact.

To avoid all this, in various places, they put the management in the
hands of the chaplain. This would seem the more appropriate, being
rather in his line of duty, and more easily performed by him. A schedule
of the points of information, which should be allowed to pass, could be
marked out by the competent authority and laid before him for his
guidance, that matters might be correct in that respect.

This question ought to receive the careful attention of our law-makers,
for proper letter writing should not be restricted in any degree in the
prison. Good letters from home and friends will bring with them no
little reformatory power and influence to quietness and order. Indeed,
the privilege, by proper management, can be made a great force in
disciplinary efforts among the prisoners.

32. _Change, for a time, in the warden's management._ Shortly after the
death of Sylver, a man, occupying a cell near by, was taken sick, but
could sit up the most of the time. As he said, the warden went to him
and remarked, "I am warden here. Be free, and ask for whatever you need,
and you shall have it." He permitted this man